INDIANAPOLIS -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was a bright-eyed, first-year head coach at the NFL Scouting Combine a year ago, but he didn't have a good feel for his team's strengths and weaknesses.

This year Tomlin said it is much easier to focus on the type of players he believes will improve the Steelers. He has a far better understanding of the team's roster and needs.

"There's a considerable difference [between last year and this year],"

Tomlin said yesterday between quarterback workouts at RCA Dome. "There is a level of comfort, there's less unknowns, you know the football team, you've been through a season with them. You've got a concrete example of what they're like on a day-to-day basis and what you need to add to as we move forward.

"It's a second lap around the track, if you will, and like I'm sure in any job, you do it, you know your co-workers, you know the people that you work with and there's a level of comfort as you move forward."

Along with understanding his team better, Tomlin also understands the organization better and has become well-schooled in what has become known as the "Steeler way." He has worked an entire season with Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert and the two have a much better feeling for what the other expects. They both expect this year's draft to be run much more efficiently.

"Both of us understand each other a lot better," Colbert said. "And I think the biggest thing for him is he understands our team a lot better from the standpoint of what he has and what he doesn't have, and last year at this point he really didn't know that. We kind of knew what he was about and he kind of knew what we were about, but he had to find out what his team was about and I think that is the biggest difference in him this year heading into the draft."

Colbert said Thursday the Steelers were positioned to take the best player available with their pick -- No. 22 -- in April's draft and Tomlin confirmed that idea. He said the roster is fairly solid and there are so many good prospects at so many positions the Steelers have the luxury of taking a look at a lot of players.

Tomlin, who referred to himself as a "personnel beatnik" and said he loves events such as the combine and the chance to meet and evaluate players, has been a part of drafts in the past where his team had specific needs and were limited in who they would draft. He said he much prefers this way because of the flexibility it brings.

"I think [flexibility] is a great thing," Tomlin said. "I also think this is an awesome draft and we have an opportunity to look at guys at some different positions and look at the best guy available if you will. I think we can take that approach as we push through the draft. You like to be in that position, especially since it's evident that this is a talented group of guys."

The offensive line is an obvious area where the Steelers need help. They took a step last week toward solidifying that unit by securing tackle Max Starks for at least another season by making him the transition player. Tomlin said there are still a number of ways the unit can be improved.
He said he hasn't considered making position changes and added there is also the possibility the Steelers could find some line depth this weekend when free agency begins.

"We've got to get better at all aspects of our team, O-line being one of them," Tomlin said. "We'll take a look at those things. You know me, I'll leave no stone unturned. I'm open-minded when it comes to position flexibility. I think that you've got to be that way with the emphasis of putting your best players on the field. But all of that will play itself out in terms of who we add. We've got to do better and that's the reality of it."
Although Tomlin said he is open to the idea of signing a few players in free agency, he made it clear that the Steelers won't be big players in the free-agent market. He said there are some players who could help the Steelers who will be available later this week when the free-agency period begins, but the Steelers' long-term success will be attained via the draft.
"Our philosophy is building the team through the draft," Tomlin said. "Although we're open to free agency, we've never been major players in free agency and I don't anticipate that changing.

By Paul Zeise
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Monday, February 25, 2008

I can imagine how much he learned in his first year. I really hope that Tomlin and Colbert work well together and make this years draft one to remember (in a good way).

BlitzburghRockCity

02-26-2008, 01:34 AM

I sure hope so because the day 2 drafts have been ones to forget for so long now we might as well not even wasted our time drafting the players.

I sure wish this team would actually use FA and get some good players, I just don't understand this whole aversion to FA. Yeah I know you have to build through the draft, everybody knows that. It's all well and good but draft prospects take time to develop and if you have a chance to bring a player who doesn't have to learn anything else other than the playbook for your team and can make an immediate impact and be a contributor for a few years then why the hell not...it's not like we have a 53 man roster that is perfect right now. We've proven in the past we can get good FA's; Farrior, Hartings, Clark, Davenport, Kimo, Gandy, Bettis, Greene, etc...it's a proven system if you use to compliment your team not build it. All those players didn't cost us a ton of money either when we got them so get your asses out there and get us a couple guys this offseason that actually know how to play.

NOVA STEELERS

02-26-2008, 08:38 AM

Mike Tomlin also understands the organization better and has become well-schooled in what has become known as the "Steeler way." He has worked an entire season with Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert and the two have a much better feeling for what the other expects. They both expect this year's draft to be run much more efficiently. "Both of us understand each other a lot better," Colbert said. "And I think the biggest thing for him is he understands our team a lot better from the standpoint of what he has and what he doesn't have, and last year at this point he really didn't know that. We kind of knew what he was about and he kind of knew what we were about, but he had to find out what his team was about and I think that is the biggest difference in him this year heading into the draft." Colbert said Thursday the Steelers were positioned to take the best player available with their pick -- No. 22 -- in April's draft and Tomlin confirmed that idea. He said the roster is fairly solid and there are so many good prospects at so many positions the Steelers have the luxury of taking a look at a lot of players. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lets hope they have a understanding of what needs to be addressed this April :pray:

Stairwayto7

02-26-2008, 08:51 AM

Sounds good! Now just execute! No lip service ! I think he is sincere though!

TEEMONT

02-26-2008, 10:58 AM

I still don't think we can take the "best available". Maybe the best out of a Dl or OL, but I swear if we draft a WR or RB in the 1st, I will **** a squirrel.

DIESELMAN

02-26-2008, 11:11 AM

We need play makers not just players for our needs. With the depth and talent in this years draft at OL, its going to be interesting to see what we do with our #1. I'm so tired of drafting projects that take to ****ing long to do anything.

V_83

02-26-2008, 11:36 AM

I still don't think we can take the "best available". Maybe the best out of a Dl or OL, but I swear if we draft a WR or RB in the 1st, I will shiat a squirrel.

Like its been posted in other areas, this years draft is pretty deep in OL talent. If for some reason a franchise player like Mcfadden slips to our pick, even though I know he won't, I would not be mad for taking him. Even a DE would be fine if he is an instant starter/playmaker, like you stated. After all that I do hope the steelers get an O-lineman because it is our greatest weakness, IMO.

Brady Quinn

02-26-2008, 11:46 AM

IT IS SO HARD TO PASS UP BEST AVAILABLE FOR A NEED. IT WOULD BE HARD TO PASS UP MCFADDEN FOR ANYONE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE BEST BACK IN THE LEAGUE IT WOULD BE HARD.

K Train

02-26-2008, 12:09 PM

ok in the first round heres who i would be ok with cause it would be awesome value at that spot

QB-None
OLine-Williams, Albert, Cherilus
Dline-Balmer...thats about it
TE-None
LB-Gholston....i would ****
WR-nothing less than malcolm Kelly or limas sweed...draft is to deep
RB-Stewart, Mendenhall
CB-Could def live with cromartie, but i think i like flowers and talib better
S-Phillips and thats it

V_83

02-26-2008, 12:27 PM

ok in the first round heres who i would be ok with cause it would be awesome value at that spot

QB-None
OLine-Williams, Albert, Cherilus
Dline-Balmer...thats about it
TE-None
LB-Gholston....i would shiat
WR-nothing less than malcolm Kelly or limas sweed...draft is to deep
RB-Stewart, Mendenhall
CB-Could def live with cromartie, but i think i like flowers and talib better
S-Phillips and thats it

Well put, looks good to me.

Stlrs4Life

02-26-2008, 06:11 PM

I still prefer to take the best available OL at the time.

Stairwayto7

02-26-2008, 08:03 PM

I still don't think we can take the "best available". Maybe the best out of a Dl or OL, but I swear if we draft a WR or RB in the 1st, I will shiat a squirrel.

I was laughing out loud!:bluelol::bluelol::bluelol::bluelol:

I never heard that! I`m still laughing!

BlitzburghRockCity

02-26-2008, 10:34 PM

I still don't think we can take the "best available". Maybe the best out of a Dl or OL, but I swear if we draft a WR or RB in the 1st, I will shiat a squirrel.

I have this weird feeling that we might want to watch it because if Tomlin & Colbert think they go OL & DL in the 2nd and 3rd rounds and get quality players they might jump on one of the top WR's since Hines isn't getting any younger. Im not saying I would necessarily agree with it because we'd be stupid to pass over a franchise T or G but Im just saying not much surprises me anymore so expect the unexpected.

K Train

02-26-2008, 10:48 PM

i cant wait for the draft lol

kgreen

02-26-2008, 11:43 PM

I still don't think we can take the "best available". Maybe the best out of a Dl or OL, but I swear if we draft a WR or RB in the 1st, I will shiat a squirrel.

:hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilar ious::hilarious:

OMG dude that is so funny:hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious:: hilarious:

DIESELMAN

02-27-2008, 12:12 AM

I have this weird feeling that we might want to watch it because if Tomlin & Colbert think they go OL & DL in the 2nd and 3rd rounds and get quality players they might jump on one of the top WR's since Hines isn't getting any younger. Im not saying I would necessarily agree with it because we'd be stupid to pass over a franchise T or G but Im just saying not much surprises me anymore so expect the unexpected.
Now that Colbert has come out and said they will be picking the best player available, all bets are off. If Tomlin and Colbert feel they get a quality OL and DL in the later rounds, I hope and pray we do not go after a WR in the 1st, I would prefer a top CB. If we do draft a WR somewhere, he must be able to return kicks, no ifs ands or buts.

K Train

02-27-2008, 12:14 AM

i love the idea of heath benedict in the 2nd or 3rd round and they were really impressed with him

Koopa

02-27-2008, 01:12 AM

this years draft is boring me, last year it was fun, but we know we need oline, and i hate oline in the first round because they are boring players, but we really need it, so it's so boring to me.......... i think they are bullshitting saying they are going for best available, they know they are going oline, they need to protect there soon to be huge investment.............. and i have a funny feeling mahan will be the starting center again, so we are still ****ed regardless, that's another reason this draft hasn't brought me much excitement as years past

BlitzburghRockCity

02-27-2008, 07:07 AM

If this team can't find a better answer than Mahan at Center you are right we are destined to suck again and I would therefor lose a lot of faith in what the front office guys actually think we need on this time.

It's not like Mahan is some rookie who need time to grow into the position..the dude is a veteran and if you stink this year you'll stink next year.

V_83

02-27-2008, 10:18 AM

Now that Colbert has come out and said they will be picking the best player available, all bets are off. If Tomlin and Colbert feel they get a quality OL and DL in the later rounds, I hope and pray we do not go after a WR in the 1st, I would prefer a top CB. If we do draft a WR somewhere, he must be able to return kicks, no ifs ands or buts.

I'm not sure how high he's supposed to go in the draft, but Desean Jackson from Cal is a good WR with great returning skills. But like you said I would like a lineman or a playmaking CB.

Iron City South

02-27-2008, 10:24 AM

I would love to see us grab Fabbini off the FA market which will allow us to go in different directions & give us more options come draft day.

DIESELMAN

02-27-2008, 12:00 PM

I would love to see us grab Fabbini off the FA market which will allow us to go in different directions & give us more options come draft day.
That would be great if we actually signed a FA who could contribute in a positive way but you know as well as everybody else, we don't dive into that side of the pool very often. Another thing is, how much did the Mahan signing, which ****ing sucked, make the FO want to stick to drafting that much more.

GoBenGo

02-27-2008, 12:05 PM

This year Tomlin said it is much easier to focus on the type of players he believes will improve the Steelers. He has a far better understanding of the team's roster and needs. good....